WWE wrestler superstar Darren Young comes out as Gay!!!

I haven’t watched WWE in quite some years but to hear this is some big news in the sports/entertainment world.

Black Wrester, Darren Young, came out as gay while being interviewed by TMZ at Los Angeles airport. Him coming out was actually refreshing. He wasn’t boastful but more genuine and very matter-of-fact about it. You can check out the video here!

The WWE also pledged their support to him as well. You can view their press release here!

I wonder if this will open the flood gates of more Men of Color in the Professional Sports/Entertainment to come out as well. I truly hope so!

Mad Love to Darren!!

 

 

“Just Because He Breathes”

Here is a powerful video from two parents who thought they could “Pray the Gay Away” from their son. Unfortunately it cost them their son’s life!

You can also read their story from the Huffington Post by clicking here!

NBA center Jason Collins comes out!!!

Sports History happened today! NBA Center, Jason Collins, with the Washington Wizards has come out. He has an eloquent piece in Sports Illustrated which hits stands in May. You can read his coming out by clicking here!

I totally have mad respect for him. He came out on his own terms and not thru scandal (i.e. Kerri Rhodes and Kwame Harris).

Former NFL Star, Kwame Harris, Comes Out

I would have respected him more if he came out while he was playing and also if he didn’t have to be publicly outed because he is an abusive lover. But nonetheless I hope this helps any LGBT athlete out there to be comfortable in themselves and live life in Truth!

Cissy Houston on Oprah’s Next Chapter

This video from Oprah’s Next Chapter is a must see. Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston, pretty much outs her own daughter. And her rigid views on Homosexuality and her relationship with friend/lover Robin lead Whitney to increased drug usage! It’s terribly sad! 😦

Cissy Houston Addresses Rumors About Whitney Houston’s Sexuality

When Whitney Houston was 16, she met Robyn, the woman who would become her best friend. From the start, Whitney’s mother, Cissy, says she was critical of their relationship. For years, rumors persisted that Robyn and Whitney were involved in a romantic relationship—something both women repeatedly denied. Now, Cissy addresses the speculation and reveals why she wouldn’t have condoned a lesbian relationship.

Orlando Cruz – Openly Gay Boxer

Orlando Cruz, a featherweight boxer from Puerto Rico, came out the closet recently to be a role model for LGBT youth. You can read more about it here.

Mad kudos to him. Definitely have to watch his fights and support him!

CNN Anchor Don Lemon says "I’m Gay"

Don Lemon, the weekend anchor of CNN, officially came out the closet last night in a heartfelt press release. This is major due to the fact that very few African/Latino Americans in the spotlight (i.e. news, sports, etc) openly admit they are gay. It was just back in September while interviewing youth who were members of Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church that Don admitted live on the air that he was molested as a child. He has a book coming out in June, titled “Transparent”, which will address his fear of coming out, racism, and more! I’ll definitely will be picking up the book!

Personally, I knew he was gay as I saw him at some gay events in the Atlanta area. But I must admit I never thought he would come out. This is great news for LGBT youth, especially LGBT Youth of African/Latino descent.

Here is Don’s official release:

“Today I chose to step out on faith and begin openly living my own truth. And let me say right up front that I hope many of you will be inspired to do the same thing in your daily lives. Some of the things I’ve chosen to reveal in my book Transparent were very difficult to share with even those closest to me.

There was a time when I was terrified of revealing these things to the person I love most in this world – my own mother. But when I finally mustered the courage to tell her that I had been molested as a child and that I was born gay, my life began to change in positive ways that I never imagined possible. Yet I still chose to keep those secrets hidden from the world. I, like most gay people, lived a life of fear. Fear that if some employers, co-workers, friends, neighbors and family members learned of my sexuality, I would be shunned, mocked and ostracized. It is a burden that millions of people carry with them every single day. And sadly, while the mockery and ostracizing are realized by millions of people every day, I truly believe it doesn’t have to happen and that’s why I feel compelled to share what I’ve written in Transparent.

As a journalist I believe that part of my mission is to shed light onto dark places. So, the disclosure of this information does not inhibit in any way my ability to be the professional, fair and objective journalist I have always been.

My book is dedicated to the memory of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, who jumped to his death from a bridge after his dorm mates streamed his private business over the Internet for the world to see. Tyler might still be with us today if more gay men and women had chosen to live proudly and openly. It is also dedicated to the millions of young, gay people who believe they are alone when dealing with their own sexual identities. You are not alone! There are people, like me and many others, who are thriving in their personal and professional lives and although we sometimes have a hard time with it ourselves, we are here to show you by example that you too can overcome any obstacle as long as you stay strong and, most of all, stay alive.”

With love and honesty,

Don Lemon
May 16, 2011

Here is the video of his admission of molestation back in Sept.

Check out Black Gay British Film – "Say My Name"

I recently sat down and watched this great movie short called “Say My Name”. It’s a great story that deals with a matter that lots of black/latino couples deal with – openness about their relationship with family and friends. You can read more about the movie, the director, and more here on the “Say My Name” website!

Check out the short movie on the “Say My Name” website.

Warning: some of the language is nfsw so put on your headphones!

Movie of the Month – Dirty Laundry

This is a hilarious movie from Director/Actor, Maurice Jamal, about a SGL man who comes back home to South Georgia to deal with some family issues. It’s a good mix of comedy and drama. And anytime you have a movie with Loretta Divine and Jenifer Lewis, you know it’s going to be a hoot!

You can purchase the movie here or here!

Ricky Martin says "I’m a Proud Homosexual Man"

As much as this shouldn’t be news, it really is! Not many in the black and latino community who are stars in either music, film, etc. usually come out the closet. (i.e. Queen Latifah, P. Diddy, Will Smith, etc.). Personally, I knew he was gay back in the days when he was with the all male latin group “Menudo”. Check out some of their vids and you will see. LOL

Today, on his website, he released a letter to his fans proclaiming he is gay. I’m proud of him though. He is living in his truth which unfortunately many don’t. He might not be as popular as he was back in the late 90’s/early 2000’s but he still has major clout in the international market. And for him to come out, is a big deal for both younger and older men and women of latino descent and hopefully anyone of any race.

Here is his letter:

“A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And this is something worth celebrating.

For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that’s the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It’s my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don’t ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I’m at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I’m feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share.

Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

If someone asked me today, “Ricky, what are you afraid of?” I would answer “the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war…child slavery, terrorism…the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.” But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.

These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.

What will happen from now on? It doesn’t matter. I can only focus on what’s happening to me in this moment. The word “happiness” takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution.

I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.

RM”